A dusty twelve and

human relations

As nature took a turn from winter to spring, my life

too was at the turning point. After my schools
studies, I too had to decide about my future. Many
options were in front of me and I was in a
dilemma. Which to take up and what to study,
whether business management or fine arts? As the
deadline approached, I ponder on this matter for a
very long time. Still I couldnt find an inspiring
branch of study. One day after reading an article
on the archaeological studies about ancient
Greece, I had a thought about taking archaeology
as my subject. Learning that about 20km from
where I was staying there was an archeological
professor, I set out to meet him one day early
morning.

On the way I had to cross a graveyard. As I was

planning to study archaeology, just for checking
my instincts about archaeology I observed a grave.
To my surprise there was an inscription on the
grave. It was muddy. I cleared it with great
difficulty and look at it closely. It resembled the
numeric twelve. I couldnt make anything out of
that. Still encouraged by the thought that I could
find an inscription on a grave, I continued my
journey. I finally reached the professors house.
 The house was vast so was its contents; it had
sculptures of Greece to contents of pyramids in
Egypt. I waited for the professor in the study. From
the family photo which was placed at the table, I
understood that professor have a little son of age
around five. Professor was busy with some of his
paper work so I had to wait a long time to see him.
He was an energetic middle aged man.

Sir, I just completed my school studies; I was

hoping to get some advice from you about taking
archaeology as my subject of further study

Oh! Thats good, Youth of today are not that all

interested in archaeology. Im happy to
understand that some of them still have the taste
for this incredible subject

I am by instinct interested in archaeology. For

instance, today morning on my journey to here, I
found a strange inscription on a grave. It
resembles greatly the numeric twelve.

Oh! Thats strange .Usually inscriptions on grave

describe the dead entombed in it, their social
status etc. In archaeological studies study of
graveyards has supreme importance. But I still
dont understand about the numeric twelve.

Yeah I too felt it quite extraordinary

Actually there is a lot of interesting concepts or

events about archeology. Archaeology, the
 scientific study of past human culture and
behavior, from the origins of humans to the
present. Archaeology studies past human behavior
through the examination of material remains of
previous human societies. These remains include
the fossils (preserved bones) of humans, food
remains, the ruins of buildings, and human
artifactsitems such as tools, pottery, and
jewelry. From their studies, archaeologists attempt
to reconstruct past ways of life

There are something very interesting in

archeology about twelve too

Sir! Could you kindly say it all?

Seeing your interest I will say some. Twelve

Tables is one of earliest code of Roman law. It was
formalized in 451-450 bc from existing oral law by
ten magistrates, called decemvirs, and inscribed
on tablets of bronze or wood, which were posted in
the principal Roman Forum. According to tradition,
the code was drawn up to appease the plebs, who
maintained that their liberties were not adequately
protected by the unwritten law as interpreted by
patrician judges. Originally ten tablets of laws
were inscribed; two more tablets were added the
following year. The tablets were destroyed in the
sack of Rome by the Gauls in 390 BC, but a
number of the laws are known through references
in later Latin literature. The Twelve Tables covered
all categories of the law and also included specific
penalties for various infractions. The code
 underwent frequent changes but remained in
effect for almost 1000 years

Twelver, in Islam is member of the main Shia sect,

which believes that the 12th imam (Islamic leader)
did not die in 880, but is waiting to return toward
the end of the world as the Mahdi ("rightly guided
one") to establish a reign of peace and justice on
earth. A smaller sect of Shia Muslims, the Ismailis,
recognize seven imams and are called Seveners.

Sir I never knew archeology was such a vast

subject and its reach was in art forms such as
music. So in a way we can say archeology deals
with everything in this world ranging from fossils
to the very art of music and entertainment.

Oh!! My dear fellow you are going to be wonder

struck by the range of studies and research
provided by the single branch of archeology

Suddenly telephone bell rings in the interior of

professors house. He goes into attend it. I still was
wondering about mind doing the right suggestion
by taking archeology. Then I heard a small voice
behind me.

On turning behind I came face to face with a boy. I

guessed the child to be professors son. He was
walking in a dreamy sort of way muttering to
himself.

I said hai son what are you muttering?

 The child froze in mid way and gazed around to
find the source of voice. On spotting me he smiled
and came and sat down by my side. We chatted
about his school for sometime. After sometime I
repeated my question.

He said with nervousness in face uncle [by that

time we were close and he called me uncle despite
of my young age] last day, Kevin and Fred who
were in my class left the school as their daddies
got a job at a distant place

So you are desprate because they left?

No uncle before last day I was number 12 in

class, but after Fred and Kevin gone, I am now
number 10 and I dont know how to write it. Last
time when my number changed I had to look
everywhere to find it and at last I found it and had
to write in gravestones to make it byheart. Now
can u teach how to right 10? I see you have a pen
in your pocket.

The child told this words as in a rapid fire. It took

some time to me to digest it all. After it I just took
my pen scrawled a 10 at the paper in front of me.
Then I said bye to my dear friend who had indeed
taught me a lesson.

After a month I was walking through the same

street nervous about my human relations exam
next day. Once I thought archeology was the best
subject now I understood relations between
humans is of supreme importance. Then suddenly
my dear friend ran to me from behind. We walked
along side till the grave, which now had a dusty
10.